Julie's Journal : A Slightly Morbid Tech Tip

One of the many services that Franklin County Library offers is tech help.  We work with patrons to print documents, learn to use new devices and apps, recover lost passwords, keep devices up to date, and anything else patrons need.  Offering this is something I really enjoy and I feel like it is a small way to really help people.  Being somewhat tech savvy is a necessity now, and if we can make that a little easier for patrons, then we have succeeded.

There are limits to what we can help with though, and I've run up against one of those limits a few times over the past year, which is what led me to make this post.  More and more, when you go to sign in to a website or account, the website requires two-factor authentication.  This means that after you put in your password, the website will send a code to your phone and you will have to enter the code to verify that it's really you trying to log in.  

So, what I've seen happen lately is that when someone dies and their estate is being settled, their phone gets turned off.  Then, weeks or months later, their spouse needs to get into an account that is verified through the phone of the deceased.  Since that phone is no longer active, the code cannot be sent and the account cannot be verified.  Many times we can't figure out another way to verify the account. There is very little I can do to help at that point. 

I have seen a widow lose access to the Facebook account that was set up on her husband's phone.  She lost contacts and memories that will be hard to replace.  Another couple had shared an Apple ID and both phones were set up using the same email and password, but his phone was the main contact.  When she couldn't verify the login she lost the ability to download new apps on her phone.  More important accounts also use two-factor authentication - email, banking, and healthcare accounts come to mind.  

If at all possible, please, please, PLEASE don't disconnect someone's phone for as long as possible after they have passed away.  As long as you can afford to pay for it, even for as much as a couple of years, it will benefit you to not lose access to their number.  Be very sure that you have full access to all the accounts you need and that the main phone number associated with them has been changed to your number before you cancel a phone.  It is one small way to make a very difficult time in your life a little easier.

As always, we are glad to help you with your tech needs.  You can ask quick questions at any time or make an appointment for a longer session.  Call the library at 903-537-4916 for more information.